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He began his career writing theme songs for cartoons for Antenne 2 under the pseudonym of Paul Persavon, including Cobra and Space Sheriff Gavan (known in France as X-Or).

His early TV appearances included Chorus (1975), the series Les Enfants du rock, again for A2, and then his breakthrough with Nulle part ailleurs for Canal+.[6]

De Caunes came to fame in the English-speaking world on the BBC2 television series Rapido, notable for his catchphrase, in the thickest of French accents, "Rap, Rap, Rap, Rapiiiidoo".[7][8] He then went on to create the long-running adult entertainment programme Eurotrash with Jean-Paul Gaultier for Channel 4.[9][10] He also presented a short-lived chat show on Channel 4 called Le Show. In addition he appeared in an advertising campaign for Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles ice lollies, which he claimed to be "a French lollipop, on a very British stick".